This notice just came in - the need is high - please join other voices in opposing.

Aloha HFUU member:This notice just came in - the need is high - please join other voices in opposing. Thank you, Bill Greenleaf

Farmers need to spread the word and let the legislature know that the so called Farm Bureau does not speak for them when it supports this bill, HB 1946, that is trying to reverse protections we currently have for traditional farmers through the public trust doctrine.

A few Key points: 1. The bill seeks to redefine the public trust doctrine more in favor of private special interests in diverting water, contrary to the fundamental constitutional principle that water is a public resource to be protected for all the people of Hawaii, present and future.

2. The Water Commission should not diminish its duties to protect public trust purposes like resource protection and Native Hawaiian rights and instead pursue "primary duties" toward other, non-public trust uses. Once again, this bill is attempting to give landowners control of Hawaii's public water for their own personal gain

3. the intention of Bill 1946 appears to be to make sure stream water can be used for private, for-profit irrigation of agricultural lands if they are identified and designated as" important agricultural lands." This designation is proposed by the landowner. This goes against our constitution and furthers a system of exploitation of public resources with no accountability and little incentive to promote sound water and soil management practices.

Hereʻs an update from Isaac Moriwake on todayʻs hearing on HB 1946, the bad water code bill. We are deeply grateful for your kokua!

Please take the time to contact the committee members, especially those from your districts!

Mahalo nui everyone for sending your written and moral opposition to HB 1946, corporate ag's latest attempt to undermine the public trust doctrine. Here's a brief recap of what went down before the House Water Land & Ocean committee this morning:

- Dozens of organizations and individuals sent in testimony in strong opposition. MAHALO!!! Even though the bill was purposefully noticed on a Friday for a Monday hearing to minimize the opportunity for public input. The vice-chair Sharon Har tried to downplay your testimony by claiming much of it was "boilerplate" and telling folks to "keep it short."- DLNR and the Water Commission strongly opposed. See their testimony attached, FYI.- The usual handful of suspects testified in favor: Hawai`i Farm Bureau and their neighbor island branches (which has been the misguided sponsor of this bill over the years), Land Use Research Foundation, Monsanto, and Alexander & Baldwin (of course). The Farm Bureau was represented by Mae Nakahata (HC&Sʻs agronomist) and Warren Watanabe. - In the end, Chang & Har deferred decision-making until this Fri, February 3 (this was the only bill out of the long list for which they did this). They obviously felt the pressure of your testimony and other support and needed more time to shore up yes votes, which also gives the good side more time to apply pressure!

If you have a minute, please take the time to contact the committee members, especially those from your districts! Nowʻs the chance to weigh in, especially if you didn't have a chance to submit testimony. It would especially help if farmers can call or email, because the Farm Bureau is trying to claim they are for, and we are against, the "farmers." And, to get the water they need, farmers need the Code amended (not!).

Mahalo again for your kokua! This is just the first step in what may shape up to be a big battle, so hopefully we can rely on your continued support!!!

AND: special kudos to Isaac (Earthjustice), Robert Harris (Sierra Club), and Jocelyn Doane (OHA) for showing up in person to testify today and staying for the duration of the hearing!

Ho`i ka wai!

Submissions in handwritten notes carry the most weight! Fax 800-535-3859

Dear HFUU Member -Tis' the legislative season in Hawaii. Each person has the ability to respond so the definition of the word responsibility is not a duty - it isexercising an ability that we all have. I request each member budget some time every other day to use the ability to respond. HFUUwill be sending out information on bills that are having a hearing and affect each of us individually or as a community. Mahalo.

The procedure for submitting is:Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:· Testifier's name with position/title and organization;· The Committee the comments are directed to;· The date and time of the hearing;· Measure number; and· The number of copies the Committee is requesting.

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:PAPER: 5 copies (including an original) to Room 424 in the State Capitol;FAX: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-6511(Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (for Neighbor Islanders without a computer to submit testimony through e-mail or the Web);EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to AGRtestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov ; orWEB: For comments less than 4MB in size, transmit from the Web page at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx.Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns. This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-8480 or email your request for an interpreter to HouseInterpreter@Capitol.hawaii.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements. Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

Selected meetings are broadcast live. Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 536-2100.

Submissions in handwritten notes carry the most weight and must be handled. Faxed are 2nd most effective. After a few days of responding, the process will become more routine and easier to manage. The more informed we are and respond from knowledge, the more wehave a say in the future of food in Hawaii. This process works at the State level much better than at the Federal level.

A final word - please pass this along to five friends along with your letter....the more we sew, the more we grow...

Hawaii Legislative Update: HB667 vetoed.

Read Hawaii Farmers Unionposition. Hawaii Food Safety and Security Program HB667 July 31, 2011 summary.Hawaii Food Safety and Security Program HB667 July 31, 2011 full text.Resolution/Philosophy for Legislative Act on FoodSafety CertificationHawaii/Maui Farm Union United resolves that a food safety act that serves the interest of Food Safety, Food Security, and Food Sovereignty for Hawaii: Designed to determine a Food Safety Certification based on: Hawaii Good Agricultural Practices. (HI-Gaps) Converting HI-GAPS to an education curriculum, conducting classes to teach HI-GAPS to farmers. a-Where Farmers would keep appropriate certificate of completion. b-Where Farmers would implement and institutionalize HI-GAPS on their farm and verify implementation through affidavits submitted to HDOA.(Hawaii Dept of Agriculture) Please Note: HI-GAPS - Hawaii Good Agricultural Practices Is a concept that needs clarification as it is an unfamiliar term.

1-We resolve it needs to be based on an farmer/consumer education system that respects that all farmers intention to grow safe/nutritious food.2-We further resolve such an education based food safety system be designed to be self accountable. Farmers would comply with a system that educates rather then regulates. 3-We finally resolve that the farm can not be sterilized to grow safe food. We assert the biological exchange between healthy soil and plants is at the essence of human health and vitality.

GAPS-is a term produced by the FDA and is used in the Food Safety Modernization Act. As defined by FDA, Good Agricultural Practices - GAPS - is a starting point for demonstrated risk. Hawaii Good Agricultural Practices - Hi-GAPS is a starting point for Farmer/Consumer education. Writing the HI-GAPS is a process that follows a precedent set by Kentucky.

As we work through the process of defining HI-GAPS we again assert that: 1-Safe Food does not grow on a sterilized farm - active beneficial biology is a necessity. 2-We support the practice of aggressive food safety measures in handling and processing of food this being the most effective stage at which food pathogens can be removed from produce. (As stated by Dr. Lorrin Pang HDOH) Hawaii Dept of Health

Ultimately we honor the fact that:All farmers intend to grow healthy and nutritious food relative to their agricultural practices.

Vermont: State Resolution for Food Sovereignty

...our basic human right to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products within the State of Vermont... full text

Maine: Local Ordinance supports raw milk

The town of Sedgwick, Maine unanimously passed an ordinance giving its citizens the right “to produce, process, sell, purchase, and consume local foods of their choosing.” This includes raw milk, locally slaughtered meats and just about anything else you can imagine. It’s also a decided bucking of state and federal laws.